I'm going to start commuting to work by bike a couple of days a week and need to get some appropriate clothing. Unfortunately I can't afford to get a nice merino wool baselayer right now so have been looking at alternatives. I've heard some good things about the C9 products available at Target but am wondering which would work best for my situation. They have a few different long sleeve shirts available, some are compression while others have a more traditional fit. Which would be best for winter riding? Compression would probably fit better since I wouldn't feel so bulky with all my layers, but I wasn't sure if the compression would do more or less when it comes to keeping me warm.

Are you a costco member? They have a merino blend base layer available right now. I think $20 for the shirt OR pants.

I'll have to go check out my local store. That would be pretty awesome if they had them there.

IIRC, merino is something like 20%. I think for $35, getting a full merino baselayer is better. I've bought merino blend baselayers in the past and they all seem to pill because of the polyester and don't last as long or function as well. I stocked up on some lightweight merino baselayer from Sierra trading but you can also find them on sale at other places.

I wore my UnderArmour compression stuff today, under my work clothes and a wool coat. Kept my legs warmer than I'd otherwise have been, for sure. This is my first time using it, but I'm a fan. It's certainly snug!

M.

I got very nice merino underlayer at Marshalls at a good price (close to those at costco). They generally have some decent stuff there but you just have to keep your eyes open.

Keep checking at Marshals, I bought a Cold Gear Under Armor Shirt for $24.00. Last year Dicks, was selling them for $50.00.

Depends on how cold the weather is typically going to be.
I can stay fairly comfortable with just compression wear or a cheap base layer I used for snowboarding.
But If you're routinely riding in temps well below freezing, you may have to invest in some quality gear.

There were one merino blend on the backcountry website size XL for less than 20$ and one for 38$ size XL (outlet now)
https://www.backcountry.com/stoic-mer...0009-DARFOR-XL
https://www.backcountry.com/stoic-alp...IC0273-MIDA-XL

minus33 100% merino for 35$ size X-small, XXL, XXXL
https://www.amazon.com/Minus33-Merino...eywords=merino

100% merino wool top for 29.95$
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/red...colorFamily=02

100% merino wool top long sleeves for 39.95$
https://www.sierratradingpost.com/red...colorFamily=02

Another alternative here which was my favorite piece of gear before merino
Louis garneau mesh carbon tee or sleeveless, 25$ small or 29$-35$ other size
https://www.amazon.com/Louis-Garneau-...au+mesh+carbon

anti odour properties : about 2/3 of the merino one
warmth : equivalent pound for pound due to extra wicking abilities and tight fit that keep the skin dry and prevent evaporative cooling from happening which increase the temperature of the skin

In my experience, compression is warmer as long as you're active. Sounds perfect to wear under work clothes for commute - warm for the ride, wicking for the rest of the day.

I rode with a UA EVO cold gear compression top under a LG thermal jersey this week. Temps were in the high 20s to mid 30s. I started a bit chilled but was perfectly warm once I had a mile or two behind me. The UA compression layer is highly recommended based on that experience. I'm ordering two more!

Cold Gear shirts for me. They're tight-fitting, but not compression. Keeps me very warm. I start sweating if it's over 55F.